JetBlue TrueBlue - New Service Between FLL and PSE (Ponce, PR)

Join the Fiesta! JetBlue Announces Nonstop Service Between Fort Lauderdale and Puerto Rico

Only Nonstop Service Between South Florida and Ponce Starts At $59(a) Each Way Beginning Nov. 5

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 24, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) continues to expand its Caribbean presence with the launch of nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Ponce, Puerto Rico beginning November 5. The award-winning low-fare, low-cost airline will operate one daily flight on the route year-round, providing South Florida with its only nonstop link to Ponce, on Puerto Rico's southern coast.

Introductory fares start as low as $59(a) each way, with regular fares ranging from $99 -- $299(a) each way. Ponce will be JetBlue's 12th destination served nonstop from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.

"Today we're thrilled to connect two of our most popular destinations with nonstop service," said Marty St. George, JetBlue's Vice President of Network Planning. "Customers have come to prefer JetBlue for our inflight entertainment, generous name-brand snacks, and award-winning customer service -- all for one low price. We invite you to experience our low fares and lots of frills on our first-ever service between Fort Lauderdale and the Caribbean."

"We want to thank JetBlue's great crewmembers for doing an exemplary job of turning the airline into one of Puerto Rico's favorite," said Terestella Gonzalez Denton, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company's Executive Director. "We would also like to acknowledge the executives who over the years have shared the same vision for new routes to the island, especially to our regional airports. This decision has greatly contributed to the Tourism Company's efforts to strengthen the Porta Caribe and Porta del Sol tourist areas, a strategy that continues to generate great results. Because of this, today, on behalf of all Puerto Ricans, we congratulate and thank our friends at JetBlue for sharing the same vision for our development."

JetBlue's new service between Fort Lauderdale and Ponce effective Nov. 5, 2007:


Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) Ponce, Puerto Rico (PSE)
to Ponce, Puerto Rico (PSE) to Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Depart -- Arrive Depart -- Arrive
---------------------------------------------------------------------
11:55 p.m.-- 3:25 a.m. 4:35 a.m. -- 6:20 a.m.
(next day) (begins Nov. 6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
--All times local--

Customers flying JetBlue between Fort Lauderdale and Ponce will travel in style aboard JetBlue's modern Airbus A320 fleet, which features a spacious cabin and all-leather seating as well as complimentary first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight on JetBlue's signature seatback televisions.

That's such a great route to compliment their other FLL routes. IMHO, The PSE times are just aweful. I don't mind flying through the night but with times in PSE arriving and departing, but how can one get a good night's sleep? Then again, B6 has done well with those times out of JFK and MCO to Puerto Rico.

What a surprise! You never know what's next to come at jetBlue...

Very glad to see FLL and PSE both grow. These are key markets for jetBlue and it's great that "connecting the dots" is really happening right now, after all those new cities already being announced. Also good for B6 to enter this market before Spirt does...

A few questions/things to point out:

1. What happened with the gate space situation at fll? I thought it was extremely limited, and recently BUF was announced in addition to today's PSE announcement. Let's not forget SYR, HPN and SWF as well. Is jetBlue getting more gates at FLL? I'll be down there next week, but the only ones I know of are C4, C6, B8, B9.

2. Is the A320 really needed on this route? I mean, I am sure it won't be a problem to fill during peak travel periods, but wouldn't it be wise to first test the waters with the 190, and then add capacity as needed? This might have something to do with FLL not being a 190 base.

3. The PR states how this is the only nonstop service between soFL and Ponce, yet the introductory fare is a shocking $59 each way. It's a great fare, but I think it's way too low on a route with NO direct competition! It will definitely gain some buzz in the areas for sure.

4. There are now good connection opportunities for those flying from IAD, SWF, SYR, HPN to continue to PSE.

2. Is the A320 really needed on this route? I mean, I am sure it won't be a problem to fill during peak travel periods, but wouldn't it be wise to first test the waters with the 190, and then add capacity as needed? This might have something to do with FLL not being a 190 base.



Two thoughts come to mind:

1) Basically all of B6's overnight operations are done by A320's, IIRC. By doing it E190, it would be a first.

2) Except for SYR and BUF doing 1X daily each to FLL, the E190 announcements have been very sparce. I'm starting to wonder if they are trying build up a small fleet to send out to the West Coast.

1. What happened with the gate space situation at fll? I thought it was extremely limited, and recently BUF was announced in addition to today's PSE announcement. Let's not forget SYR, HPN and SWF as well. Is jetBlue getting more gates at FLL? I'll be down there next week, but the only ones I know of are C4, C6, B8, B9.


This is going to run in the middle of the night, so the gate space problem shouldn't really matter. I don't think that FLL is so busy that a gate where a plane would have RoN anyway can't be used to push this out and back.



3. The PR states how this is the only nonstop service between soFL and Ponce, yet the introductory fare is a shocking $59 each way. It's a great fare, but I think it's way too low on a route with NO direct competition! It will definitely gain some buzz in the areas for sure.


The release also says that regular fares will be more expensive. It is hard to fill up a plane on short notice without super sale fares. They've got some time to build up the price after they build up the market, assuming there really is a market for middle of the night flights to PSE from S. Florida.

Two thoughts come to mind:

1) Basically all of B6's overnight operations are done by A320's, IIRC. By doing it E190, it would be a first.

2) Except for SYR and BUF doing 1X daily each to FLL, the E190 announcements have been very sparce. I'm starting to wonder if they are trying build up a small fleet to send out to the West Coast.

How about PHX, SLC, DEN, SFO or SEA. It would be enough more capacity growth from FLL new routes. It would be keep entirely routes from FLL. It would be more than 12 cities from FLL. B6 is already being flies non-stop from FLL-LGA, JFK, EWR, BOS, HPN, SWF, BUF, SYR, LGB, OAK, IAD and now PSE. Do you think NK could be next major routes from FLL-BUR, SEA, SFO, or PHX and SAN, too.

I have hearing from entire a.net lately. BTV could be probably next major routes from FLL. Please don't let hold my breath. Stay tuned! :)

Picked this up on a.net. The PR section of spirit.com seems to have a bug...

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3527760/

Picked this up on a.net. The PR section of spirit.com seems to have a bug...

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3527760/

Yep, NK has response from B6. NK more non-stop from FLL-PSE goes on effective Nov 1, 2007. I think it would short turn back from PSE-FLL arrived by early morning. What you else think NK will continues more new routes from FLL? It would not enough gate space in FLL. I have heard terminal 4 will be begin construction around Aug 4 to get more ticket counter space. Because it was overcrowded to trying catch the flight from FLL. I have read all entirely information from newspaper. Does FLL is not enough ticket counter space at terminal 4 for Spirit.

Either way, jetBlue is the obvious better choice for PSE-FLL. Most legroom, leather seats, free movies on those flights and snacks...plus no charge for checked bags! Spirit's "Big Seat Up Front" comes with no extra service.

The only thing you cannot argue with from a customer's perspective is their RIDICULOUS sale fares...everything from literally $.01 (1 PENNY!) to $9. Sure, you gotta pay taxes, but I'd rather be paying it on a 9-buck base fare than on a standard ~$100+ fare!

Join the Fiesta! JetBlue Announces Nonstop Service Between Fort Lauderdale and Puerto Rico

Only Nonstop Service Between South Florida and Ponce Starts At $59(a) Each Way Beginning Nov. 5

[...]

JetBlue's new service between Fort Lauderdale and Ponce effective Nov. 5, 2007:


Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) Ponce, Puerto Rico (PSE)
to Ponce, Puerto Rico (PSE) to Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Depart -- Arrive Depart -- Arrive
---------------------------------------------------------------------
11:55 p.m.-- 3:25 a.m. 4:35 a.m. -- 6:20 a.m.
(next day) (begins Nov. 6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
--All times local--



Those ar/dp times from PSE kinda suck. I'd rather fly into SJU at a more reasonable daylight time and drive south to Ponce (or even BQN and drive east). How unfortunate...another sketchy B6 schedule decision, and I like B6 a lot :(

Mark my words, that FLL-PSE flight will be packed on an almost daily basis, even with Spirit saying they are also going to run FLL-PSE

Mark my words, that FLL-PSE flight will be packed on an almost daily basis, even with Spirit saying they are also going to run FLL-PSE

Do you ever think B6 could be next announces FLL-BQN/SJU? What about more domestic flights from FLL-BTV, BUR, SEA, SFO, RIC? I don't know which specific routes will be taken on.

Do you ever think B6 could be next announces FLL-BQN/SJU? What about more domestic flights from FLL-BTV, BUR, SEA, SFO, RIC? I don't know which specific routes will be taken on.

SEA-FLL keeps on being suggested but I highly doubt we'll see it unless B6 brings a new bird online (which know is not even a consideration at this point). There is enough problems as it stands with the JFK/BOS routes to the West Coast stations in the winter. Fuel stops just add to delays and we all know how we need more of those. Heck, there is even sets blocked out to help the A320's make the JFK-BUR route due to the short runways at BUR adding to the fuel/distance problems.

However, CLT, RDU, RIC, BNA, AUS, HOU, and BTV would be reasonable domestic candidates for going to FLL. I might even dare to say that adding FLL to PIT's destinations might help things at PIT for B6 (coupled with proper marketing and advertising) .

I'm guessing it's a competitve response to Spirit...now FLL-PSE on jetBlue is advertised on the web site at $49 each way, $10 lower than originally announced.

Mark my words, that FLL-PSE flight will be packed on an almost daily basis

Why?

Why?

Reasonable fares, convenience, VERY little direct competition (Spirit), cruises, business, vacation, free movies/snacks, etc.

SEA-FLL keeps on being suggested but I highly doubt we'll see it unless B6 brings a new bird online (which know is not even a consideration at this point). There is enough problems as it stands with the JFK/BOS routes to the West Coast stations in the winter. Fuel stops just add to delays and we all know how we need more of those. Heck, there is even sets blocked out to help the A320's make the JFK-BUR route due to the short runways at BUR adding to the fuel/distance problems.

However, CLT, RDU, RIC, BNA, AUS, HOU, and BTV would be reasonable domestic candidates for going to FLL. I might even dare to say that adding FLL to PIT's destinations might help things at PIT for B6 (coupled with proper marketing and advertising) .

Right. I understand. I think B6 would continues more growth from FLL. I think B6 is bring more new A320 come online sometimes in 2007 or 2008. Do you know B6 is continues bring more A320 or E190? :confused: I think it should be more reasonable. I doubt it about BUR is currently still under restrictions?

Why?

The locals seem to love those redeye flights. All of our late evening departures out of JFK to the islands are always packed full. Our flights to the islands from JFK, BOS, and MCO are the best preformers in the system. I've been looking at the loads since this discussion started and the loads have not been below 145 except for a few occassions. So I'm betting that the FLL-PSE flight will do just as well.